Meet the shortlist: John Billings

Right now a panel of expert opticians is assessing submissions from six outstanding opticians from across the globe, all of whom have been shortlisted for the title “International Optician of the Year 2021”.

Over the coming weeks you can meet all the shortlisted candidates. It is impossible to include everything that they have done in a few short paragraphs, but we hope you find them to be inspiring role models for the profession.

John Billings FBDO says, “Being chosen for consideration for the title International Optician of the Year 2021 is the highlight of my year”. John is a practising DO and has worked in the profession since 1989. He has worked for a number of businesses in New Zealand as Practice Manager, Project Trainer, Area Manager and Professional Services Manager. He was appointed, for the maximum allowed three terms as a Professional Director on the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board. He has served on the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal and the Executive Committee of the ADONZ for two terms. Recently he was sworn in as a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers of London. He is an independent Director on the Board of Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind as well as a volunteer for the organisation. In practice he specialises in low vision and has presented and written on the topic. He is also the designer of the Billings Rule, which is available in NZ and Australia, used by ACOD and is given free to every student.

John says, “The optical profession means the world to me. Dispensing opticianry and all things sight related play a huge part in my life. I have worn spectacles myself since I was two, and having very high hyperopia, astigmatism and amblyopia, I have a great deal of empathy with my patients. If I hadn’t obtained my optical qualification, and seen a job advertised in New Zealand, I may still be in the UK. So it literally helped me see the world!” He continues, “However, what does it mean to me in my everyday work? I love seeing the look of a child with a high prescription put on spectacles for the first time. I enjoy helping people get the most from their vision, be they well corrected or a low vision patient. I love turning the tears of grief from a newly diagnosed low vision patient into smiles when you show them it is not the end of the world and there are things you can do for them. I love the look of surprise and appreciation a deaf person has on their face when you sign to them. I love the friends I have all around this beautiful country of New Zealand and around the world, that have been made through my profession. I can sum it up in just four words: I love my job!”